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<br />This multi-purpose Project will provide 8n average
<br />"":)of 69,200 acre. feet of supplemental water to the Arkansas
<br />,Valley each year from decrees on the Colorado Rh-er
<br />wowned by the Conservancy District, Water will be gather-
<br />c..ned under a very rigid set of Operating Principles from
<br />C'X)the tributaries to the Fryingpan River in Western Cola-
<br />--1rado, diverted through a tunnel 5,3 miles long and 10,5
<br />feet in diameter, at an elevation of approximately 10,000
<br />feet, and stored for proper regulation and future use in
<br />three major reservoirs along the Arkansas River in
<br />Eastern Colorado.
<br />Construction on the Project was started in 1964, and
<br />is scheduled to be completed in 1975, It is described in
<br />detail in Brochure No.5, which was produced by the
<br />Conservancy District in 1967. Copies are available at
<br />the Conservancy District officea, 905 Highway 50 West,
<br />Pueblo, Colorado 81003,
<br />The Officials of the District maintain a very close
<br />working relationship with Bureau of Reclamation Offi-
<br />cials who are in charge of the construction of the Project.
<br />The District assists primarily in legislative action in.
<br />volving appropriations, in order that the Project con.
<br />struction might remain on schedule. Officials of the Dis-
<br />trict joined with top representatives of the Bureau of
<br />Reclamation and a number of dignitaries on Saturday.
<br />August 26. 1967, to formally break ground for Puehlo
<br />Reservoir. This action heralded the start of the relocation
<br />of 16 miles of mainline D&RG Railroad track, and Com-
<br />missioner Floyd E. Dominy was the principal speaker.
<br />By assuming legal sponsorship of the Project, th~
<br />Directors must be prepared to meet the annual repay-
<br />ment costs, plus interest, from funds derived through the
<br />sale of water and the ad valorum taxes assessed within
<br />the District. It is expected the first Project water will be
<br />available to the District in 1969 in a very limited quantity-.
<br />
<br />CORPS OF AR!o.fY E~GINEERS FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT
<br />
<br />The Directors held a series of meetings with repre-
<br />sentatives from the Albuquerque, New Mexico District
<br />Office of the Corps of Army Engineers to discuss a long-
<br />range $64,136,000 plan for improvement and develop,
<br />ment of water resources of the Arkansas River sub-basin
<br />above lohn Martin Darn. The entire Project stretching
<br />from Cotopaxi to Las Animas is within the confines of
<br />the Conservancy District.
<br />This Project was developed over a long period of time
<br />at the request of various citizens and the Congress of
<br />the United States, to assist in the reduction of hea\'y
<br />losses from periodic floods. Corps Officials evaluated the
<br />cause of all such floods and incorporated proposals in
<br />an overall plan which would cope with these floods and
<br />at the same time channelize approximately 75 miles of the
<br />Arkansas River between Pueblo and Las Animas. This
<br />would provide for better handling of native and imported
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<br />water. and assist in the elimination of phreatophytes
<br />and the salvage of approximately 40,000 acre-feet of
<br />water a year. The proposed Project meets all of the reo
<br />quirements of the Flood Control Act of 1936, and pro,
<br />ddes a proper benefit to cost ratio.
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<br />The Corps of Army Engineers has asked the Conser.
<br />yancr District to become the sponsor of this Project and,
<br />as in. the case of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, assume
<br />the obligations of repaying $17.965,400 of reimbursa~le
<br />cost. and an average of 8435,614 of annual operatmg
<br />and maintenance charges.
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<br />The Directors and several Committees are researching
<br />the Proposal to determine the "best interest" of the Dis.
<br />trict in the matter. At the present time, the South-
<br />eastern Colorado Water Conservancy District is obligated
<br />to its full funding capacity in its repayment Contract on
<br />the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. In the event the D~rec.
<br />tors elect to spon~or all or part of the Corps ProJect,
<br />Legislation would have to be sought to provide additional
<br />funds to meet the expenses of not only the annual pay.
<br />ment5-, but also the operating and maintenance costs. The
<br />Directors hare indicated a keen interest in the Proposal
<br />to improve the Arkansas River as a mode of transporta.
<br />rion for not only Project ",.'ater, but also native water and
<br />the possible salvage of up to 40,000 acre-feet of water
<br />110\\- being consumed by phreatophytes. They are working
<br />closely with the USGS, Colorado Water Conservation
<br />Board, and other agencies to determine how the Corps
<br />Proposal might be made a part of an over all water
<br />de\-elopment program for the Arkansas River Valley.
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<br />LTl\:IFOR:\1 WATER LEGISL\TION
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<br />The Colorado State Legislature took a big step for-
<br />ward in 1967 when they passed Senate Bill 407, which
<br />provides for a comprehensive Study of existing Water
<br />Laws. Water Administration Procedure, and the Hydro.
<br />logy 'of the five major water drainage areas within the
<br />state to develop Water Legislation which would provide
<br />for the maximum beneificial use of surface and ground
<br />water. The Conservancy District is vitally interested in
<br />this Study, and is assisting by providing information on
<br />the Arkansas River Valley. It is expected the report will
<br />be completed by mid 1968, and a formal proposal will
<br />be ready for Legislative action in 1969. Four Engineering
<br />Firms ha,'e been employed by the State to develop data
<br />wbich will provide the basis for the Proposed legisla-
<br />tion. Conservancy District and Water Users over the
<br />State are optimistic this Legislation will bring an end to
<br />the "piecemeal" or "patch upon patch" Water Legisla-
<br />tion which has been carried on through the years, and
<br />has created a very complex and, in some instances, al-
<br />most unworkable Water Law.
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